Tweet of the Day:""This worked in the trade machine" has replaced "hello" as the greeting in a bunch of e-mails I received today" -- mcten (ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin)

Reader Comment of the Day:"Mornin' peeps. Trade scenarios? With a proven championship team? It is to laugh. This team is NOT getting split up. Certainly no core player is going anywhere. Melo? The dude can't defend. At all. Jeeze - haven't you guys seen him play? He's also a big whiner - you think we need someone like that jerking the chemistry of this team around? Wow. Be patient, my friends. Please. This team will NOT let us down. Yes it may get ugly. Yes it will be frustrating here and there. But they will get 'er done. The Black Mamba and the Black Swan. Debuting this coming April for your basketball enjoyment! " -- justanothermambafan

Photo: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is called for a foul as he tries to shoot over Houston center Chuck Hayes during the first half of Tuesday's 114-106 overtime victory at Staples Center. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times